February 3, 2015

Dealing With Change | My Tips and Advice

There is one thing that we can all be sure of in life:
nothing ever stays the same for very long. And truth be told, none of us would really enjoy life if it wasn't for the twists and turns along the way. But let’s
face it, the twists and turns can sometimes be extremely scary. Change brings on a wide range of thoughts and emotions. At times, we embrace it all, excited about the
opportunities that lie ahead. Other times, we become paralyzed by it, unsure of
what we feel and what we should do. And then, there are times when change enters our lives unwelcome, completely shaking our foundation to its very core. But in reality, change is an essential part of growth and without it, we wouldn't be able to become who we are truly meant to be.

For those of you who, just like me, struggle with accepting change in your lives, I would like to share some tips that I have used when going through some of my darker times. I'm sure we can all relate to feeling a little "stuck," but having the right tools can make a world of a difference when going through a bit of a rough patch.

Let Yourself Grieve

Change is hard! And yes, even positive change can be hard! As humans, we love our comfort zones and get attached to our surroundings. For this reason, joyful and exciting events like graduating from college, getting promoted at work, getting married or having children can also be challenging life transitions. Any time we take on something new, we also have to let go of something old. And letting go is never easy, so let yourself grieve what is lost. And realize that it's okay to feel down, unsure and scared, even if a particular change is a positive one.

Realize That Everything Happens For A ReasonIn my life, I've come to realize that when something happens, it is never in vain. Even though something can be difficult to swallow at first, you always end up learning something valuable from it.You can't know why something is unfolding the way it is, but you have to be patient. As the late Steve Jobs once said: "You can't connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect the dots looking back." Trust that somewhere along the way, the dots will connect and you will understand why things unfolded the way they did. So, always remember: nothing ever happens for nothing.Take Care of YourselfThis is probably the most difficult thing for me to do when I'm going through something difficult. But it is absolutely essential and probably my most important tip. When a major change happens, it can really take a toll on both your body and your mind. That's why it is extremely important to take care of yourself: get enough sleep, exercise, eat properly, and stay hydrated. These things are the foundation for everything else. Taking care of your mind and body is absolutely necessary to find the strength to pick up the pieces and keep moving forward.

Keep Yourself BusyIt's easy to get lost in your thoughts and keep thinking about how you wish things were different. But dwelling on something that you can't change will only bring on more sadness and suffering. Keep yourself busy, go out with friends, watch a movie you like or maybe find yourself a new hobby. By keeping busy, you'll realize that life does go on and eventually, you will begin to feel better again. It won't happen overnight but in time, you will realize that there are many new things to look forward to.Practice GratitudeIt can be difficult to be thankful for what you have when you are stuck in a rut. But even when things seem to be heading south, there is always something to be grateful for. Whether it's something small like the sun shinning outside on a given day or something a little bigger like the presence of a friend during a trying time, always look at the glass half full instead of half empty. If it helps, you can even start a gratitude journal where you can write a few things you are thankful for every day. In time, practicing gratitude will practically become second nature.

I hope that my tips will be helpful to some of you :) Do you guys have any tips on how to deal with change? If so, please leave them in the comments below. I would love to hear from you guys!Until next time,